The winners of the 2023 Skytrax World Airline Awards, decided in the world’s largest air travel satisfaction survey, have been unveiled – and there are a few surprising results.
The absolute cream of the crop hasn’t changed too much, with Singapore Airlines scoring the prestigious Airline of the Year Award, reclaiming the prize it last won in 2018.
Qatar Airways, who took overall honours in the past two editions of the annual awards, finished runner-up, just ahead of perennial third-place getter All Nippon Airways (ANA), and consistent high-flyers Emirates and Japan Airlines, who finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Rounding out the top ten carriers overall were Turkish Airlines (who have announced plans to fly to Melbourne), Air France, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific and Taiwan’s EVA Air (who rose eight and nine places respectively from 2022), and Korean Air (who recently upped capacity to Australia).
Among the biggest shocks in the overall category was the fall of Qantas to 17th position. Though still a respectable finish, the flying kangaroo placed fifth last year. Among the other Australian-based carriers, Virgin Australia finished 46th (43rd in 2022), Rex 56th (72nd) and Jetstar 69th (57th).
Meanwhile, Air New Zealand jumped from 30th place to 19th.
Pacific power
But perhaps the biggest winner overall was Fiji Airways, who finished as the world’s 15th top carrier – rising a massive 21 places from 36th last year.
Fiji Airways CEO André Viljoen put the carrier’s win in the Best Airlines in Australia/Pacific 2023 category down to FJ’s “unwavering commitment to quality service delivery”.
“We may not have as much resources as larger airlines, but we have the Fijian spirit of hospitality and care,” he said.
“As the national airline, we embrace and champion these values in everything we do, and this sets us apart as an airline.
“The fact that these awards are determined purely on guest feedback makes our two accolades all the more special.
“Our customers have consciously chosen Fiji Airways above all the other participating airlines in the region.”
SIA CEO Goh Choon Phong said Singapore’s award was “a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that SIA was ready for the recovery in air travel”.
“That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline,” he remarked.
“We are very grateful to our customers for their enduring loyalty to and affection for Singapore Airlines.
Best in Class
Per cabin, Singapore picked up World’s Best First Class Airline, while Qatar scored the World’s Best Business Class Airline award.
“Qatar Airways is delighted to win the World’s Best Business Class award at this year’s Skytrax World Airline Awards,” said Akbar Al Baker, Group CEO of Qatar Airways, who equalled SQ’s haul of nine awards.
“This is testimony to the collective endeavour in the airline that enables us to deliver an unsurpassed customer experience.
“Three further awards for Best Airline in the Middle East, World’s Best Business Class Airline Lounge and World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining illustrate Qatar Airways’ leadership in the sector, as well as, its high degree of innovation and commitment.”
Further back in the plane, EVA Air picked up the award for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class Airline, while the World’s Best Economy Class Airline for 2023 was JAL.
Also called the Passenger’s Choice Awards, the annual awards covered 325 carriers in the survey results.
The World’s Best Low-Cost and Regional carriers were AirAsia and Bangkok Airways respectively.
Check out the most family-friendly carriers, those with the best entertainment, and the world’s cleanest carriers in this year’s Skytrax awards.